Section: US & Canada

(MOSCOW) — Russia’s Foreign Ministry says Syrian peace talks have tentatively been set to take place in Moscow next month. The ministry spokesman, Alexander Lukashevich, said Thursday the talks involving representatives of the Syrian government and the opposition are set to take place sometime after Jan. 20. Russia, which has staunchly...

MOSCOW (AP) — Peace talks between the Syrian government and the opposition could be held in Moscow next month, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday. The talks are set to take place sometime after Jan. 20, ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said at a briefing. The first stage of the talks will bring together representatives of...

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A somber Pope Francis steeped his Christmas message to the world Thursday in sadness for those with little cause for joy — abused children, refugees, hostages and others suffering from violence in the Middle East, Africa, Ukraine and elsewhere. …read more Source: U.S....

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday scrapped New Year’s holidays for government ministers because of the unfolding economic crisis. Russian company employees throughout the country are entitled to holiday from Jan. 1 to Jan. 12 when Russians celebrate the New Year, the main holiday in Russia, as well as Orthodox...

Pope Francis focused on the world’s pain and suffering in his annual Urbi et Orbi — Latin for “to the City and to the World” — message this year. “Truly there are so many tears this Christmas,” Francis said, to the tens of thousands of Romans and tourists who came to St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on...

A sombre Pope Francis steeped his Christmas message to the world today in sadness for those with little cause for joy — abused children, refugees, hostages, and others suffering from violence in the Middle East, Africa, Ukraine and elsewhere. …read more Source:...

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A somber Pope Francis steeped his Christmas message to the world Thursday in sadness for those with little cause for joy — abused children, refugees, hostages and others suffering from violence in the Middle East, Africa, Ukraine and elsewhere. Anguish for children who suffer maltreatment or violence, including in the recent...

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukraine’s pursuit of NATO membership posed a danger to European security and that the West was using Kyiv’s bid to join the Atlantic alliance as a way to fuel confrontation between Russia and Ukraine. The Kyiv parliament’s renunciation of Ukraine’s neutral status this week as a...

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Here is the official Vatican English-language translation of Pope Francis’ “Urbi et Orbi’ Christmas Day message, which he delivered in Italian from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday: Dear Brothers and Sisters, Happy Christmas! Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, is born...